THE APPARATUS OF THE COUNCIL OF PEOPLE'S COMMISSARS, THE COUNCIL OF LABOR AND DEFENSE, AND THE PEOPLE'S COMMISSARIATS
227

that is, by an idiotic method and was delayed for many hours; and without my intervention would have been delayed for days the second time.

Such work by the chancellery is inadmissible, and if even one more time such a typical case of bureaucratic obstruction and spoiling of work is discovered, I shall resort to strict penalties and replacement of personnel. I prescribe:

1) for every document or packet which I give for dispatch, check personally by the duty secretary (who must have a substitute in case of absence and coordinate with the telephone operators on duty round-the-clock regarding replacement);

2) whether all inscriptions have been made (in own hand; urgent; with receipt on the envelope, etc.);

3) whether it was handed over at once to the courier;

4) obligatory verification by telephone with the addressee;

5) show me the returned envelope with receipt;

6) the same rules must be carried out in practice by the telephone operators in the booth, in case of assignments during hours when the secretaries are absent.

*

Pr. Council of People's Commissars V. Ulyanov (Lenin).

NOTES TO I. I. GORBUNOV.

10316

[13 September 1921]

Comrade Gorbunov!

I request that you subject those responsible to penalties: if the first time, then to reprimand; if the second time or if there are aggravating circumstances, then with a warning that they will be dismissed if they do not demonstrate greater accuracy.

Establish verification: once out of 400 cases or 1 day out of 45, etc.

Lenin.

II

228

17 September [1921]

Comrade Gorbunov!

It turns out that Kursky and Cherlumchakevich have left without formally handing over their affairs — namely, the signing of the protocols of the Small Council of People's Commissars. This is the height of lawlessness. Immediately restore order: a) draw up a protocol, b) by telegraph demand a response from

* Printed from a typewritten copy. Ed.